South Hill, WA

Less than an hour south of Seattle, South Hill provides breathtaking surroundings that you might not expect from a humble Washington suburb. Towering firs are all around the neighborhood, and dense forest stretches from the southeast corner of South Hill into Mt. Rainier National Park. Despite its secluded appearance, South Hills is popular among families and professionals thanks to its proximity to major cities and the nearby schools that serve the area.

Meridian East is lined with burger joints, breakfast spots, and convenient strip malls, but locals gather at South Hill Mall just to the north of the neighborhood. There you’ll find the requisite big-box stores and chain restaurants, but plenty of local options as well. Newly renovated apartments have sprung up all over South Hill, so there’s something for every budget and style. Tacoma is just 20 miles away, and Seattle another 20.